Council signals budget guidance: recommends 0% across-the-board raises and flat operating budgets amid state funding uncertainty

DeKalb County Council signaled budget guidance for the 2026 budget cycle, recommending that officeholders plan for 0% across-the-board pay increases and hold operating expenditures at current levels until state fiscal decisions become clear.

Council members said the state legislative process (SB 1 and related amendments) has created uncertainty about property tax and local-option income tax changes and that the county needs a conservative baseline to prepare its budget. The guidance is intended to give officeholders and departments advance notice: if additional revenue materializes, councils can consider increases later in the budget process.

Council members and staff discussed specific contract-driven cost increases (for example, software licences and IT contracts) and asked departments to be candid about unavoidable contract cost increases while otherwise flat-lining discretionary spending. The council asked the auditor/finance staff to publish formal guidance to department heads reflecting the 0% salary recommendation and the timetable for budget submissions.